Springs Cleaning
There’s nothing like a good spring cleaning to clear the cobwebs and get ready for the season ahead, and so much the better when everybody pitches in to help. That’s the idea behind the fourth annual Springs Cleaning event, when the entire Springs redevelopment area will “clean house” from April 18 to April 26.
Planned to coincide with the weekends surrounding Earth Day, April 22, the event’s activities are aimed at cleaning up The Springs and creating awareness of recycling opportunities available for residents. Springs Cleaning is coordinated by the Sonoma County Community Development Commission (CDC) and the Springs Task Force Coordinating Committee (STFCC).
Carrying the message to kids
Some 1500 reusable shopping bags containing educational materials about recycling will be distributed to students and teachers at Flowery Elementary School, Sonoma Charter School and El Verano Elementary School. Eight local sponsors teamed up to create the eco-friendly, bright blue bags: Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn, Sonoma Valley Bank, Arroyo Veterinary Hospital, The Sonoma Valley Sun and El Sol, Sonoma Market, Moore Recycling Associates, La Favorita Market and Barking Dog Roasters.
Sonoma Charter School will also hold a scrap sculpture contest using the theme, “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Repair.” Students will create stand-up artwork from recyclable items found around the school or brought from home. Judging will take place on Friday, April 18, after which the sculptures will be displayed at local businesses until the art pieces are recycled. Businesses interested in having a scrap sculpture can call Sonoma Charter School Director Nora Flood at 707.935.4232.
Takin’ it to the streets
Volunteers are needed to help tidy up their Springs neighborhoods by picking up litter. Anyone interested in becoming a “block captain” to organize a cleanup effort on their street, or in just lending a hand, can contact Suzanne Shonbrun at 707.996.9678 or e-mail smshonbrun@comcast.net.
Garage sales galore
In order to help people clean out their homes, yards and garages, the Springs Cleaning sponsors are coordinating an area-wide garage sale over the weekend of April 19 and 20.
The CDC is compiling a list of area garage sales which will appear in the April 17 issue of the Sun, along with a map to help shoppers plan their routes. Springs redevelopment project area residents who want a free listing in the garage sale ad can call Mike Brown at 707.565.7903.
One of the weekend’s larger sales will take place on Sunday, April 20 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Arroyo Veterinary Hospital at 18501 Hwy. 12.
Proceeds from that sale will benefit Relay for Life and the Sonoma Valley Pet Memorial Project. To learn more about donating or participating in the veterinary hospital’s sale, e-mail info@avhsonoma.com.
Cleaning up the big stuff
On Saturday, April 26, Springs Cleaning organizers will set up a drop-off site where redevelopment project area residents can get rid of unwanted household goods, recyclables, yard waste and scrap metal.
Debris boxes will be donated by North Bay Corporation/Redwood Empire Disposal, and Goodwill will be on hand to take furniture, books, working electronics and reusable items. Mattresses, hazardous waste, non-working TVs, car batteries and other banned items listed in the phone book’s recycling guide will not be accepted.
In order to take advantage of this opportunity, people will be asked to show proof of residency in the Springs redevelopment project area, such as a driver’s license or utility bill. A map of the redevelopment area is available online at http://www.sonoma-county.org/cdc/pdf/svredevmap.pdf
more information can be obtained by calling the CDC office at 707.565.7903.
North Bay Corporation/Redwood Empire Disposal will have staff available at the drop-off site, but organizers can use more volunteers. Anyone interested in helping is asked to call the CDC office at the number above.
